What makes a good dividend stock? Investors have different criteria; some income investors are blinded by high-paying dividend stocks, only wishing to ride the mouthwatering yield for a quarter or two. But far more often income investors approach stocks with a long-term focus.
With that aim in mind, the best dividend stocks to buy tend to be stable stocks that pay fairly regular, meaningful dividends with the potential to increase in the future. With that definition in mind, let’s look at the five best dividend stocks to buy now: Chevron Corporation (NYSE:CVX), Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F), Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE), Occidental Petroleum Corporation (NYSE:OXY) and Exxon Mobil Corporation (NYSE:XOM).